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The 2026 United States Senate election in Massachusetts will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Incumbent two-term Democratic Senator Ed Markey, was re-elected in 2020 with 66.2% of the vote and is running for re-election to a third full term.
Markey, who will be 80 years old at the time of the 2026 election, has faced calls to retire due to his age.[1]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Potential
Most of the following people have been speculated as potential candidates in the event that Markey drops out of the race; only Auchincloss is seen as a potential primary challenger to Markey.
- Jake Auchincloss, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (2021–present) (currently running for re-election)[3]
- Andrea Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General (2023–present)[4]
- Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts (2023–present) (currently running for re-election)[4]
- Joe Kennedy III, former U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland (2022–2024), former U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (2013–2021), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020[4]
- Deval Patrick, former Governor of Massachusetts (2007–2015) and candidate for president in 2020[4]
- Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district (2019–present)[4]
- Lori Trahan, U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 3rd congressional district (2019–present)[4]
- Marty Walsh, former U.S. Secretary of Labor (2021–2023) and former mayor of Boston (2014–2021)[4]
- Michelle Wu, mayor of Boston (2021–present)[4]
Republican primary
Candidates
Publicly expressed interest
- Michael Soter, state representative from the 8th Worcester district (2019–present)[5]
Declined
- Charlie Baker, president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (2023–present) and former Governor of Massachusetts (2015–2023)[6]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[7] | Solid D | January 17, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[8] | Solid D | February 11, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[9] | Safe D | February 13, 2025 |
Polling
Hypothetical polling
- Ed Markey vs. Charlie Baker
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Charlie Baker |
Ed Markey |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass/YouGov | February 14-20, 2025 | 700 (A) | ± 4.8% | 33% | 35% | – | 33% |
| MassINC Polling | October 29 – November 1, 2024 | 582 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 40% | 34% | 3% | 19% |
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
- ^ Keller, Jon (October 20, 2024). "Is it time for Ed Markey to step aside? Chairman of Massachusetts Democrats weighs in". CBS News. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ Medsger, Matthew (October 27, 2024). "Ed Markey says he will seek a third term in 2026, when he will be 80 years old". Boston Herald.
- ^ Will Auchincloss run against Markey?. WCVB-TV. January 19, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Tenser, Phil (October 17, 2024). "Findings of new poll suggest Mass. believes both senators are too old". WCVB-TV. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
- ^ Van Buskirk, Chris (February 27, 2025). "Bellingham Republican Michael Soter considering statewide run, including against Ed Markey". Boston Herald. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Altimari, Daniela; Ellen McIntire, Mary (January 7, 2025). "An early look at potentially vulnerable senators in 2026". Roll Call. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
Baker is currently the head of the NCAA and a spokesman for the organization dismissed the rumors, saying Baker is 'not running for any political office.'
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
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